Foundation releases Spanish version of Patient Handbook and Living
Room support group

May 07, 2015 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, theBonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF)
released a Spanish-language version of its patient handbook, “Navigating
Lung Cancer, 360 Degrees of Hope,” and announced the first
Spanish-language Living Room support group on May 12, 2015.

“There is a huge void of resources for Spanish speaking people with lung
cancer,” said Bonnie J. Addario, 10 year lung cancer survivor and
founder of the ALCF. “Being diagnosed with cancer is scary enough but
not knowing what resources are available to educate yourself makes good
health care decision making impossible. By translating educational
materials and resources for Spanish-speaking patients, we are creating
survivors.”

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of Latino immigrants
prefer to receive health care information in their native language. This
preference demonstrates the growing need for language-appropriate
outreach materials and education programs.

The ALCF’s patient handbook is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive,
up-to-date patient resource for lung cancer patients and their families.
First released in English in early 2013, the handbook contains the
latest advancements in lung cancer care, including new FDA approved
drugs, molecular testing, immunotherapy and a special clinical trials
report. The resource is now available in Spanish online and in print.

“When my aunt was diagnosed with lung cancer, my biggest concern was
that she didn’t understand English,” said Sandy Jauregui, a 31-year-old
Stage 4 lung cancer patient. “The availability of education materials
and resources for her and others like her is a huge step toward fighting
for better survival rates. For me, it means my aunt can access the same
education, care and support I found through the ALCF community and do so
in a language she is familiar with.”

Coinciding with the handbook’s release, the ALCF is also hosting its
first Spanish-language “Lung Cancer Living Room” on May 12, 2015 in
Hollywood, Florida. The Living Room will include an overview of the
importance of multidisciplinary care in lung cancer treatment, including
the diagnostic process, precision medicine, radiation therapy and
surgery. Speakers include Dr. Luis Raez, medical oncologist for Memorial
Cancer Institute and his colleagues: Dr. Ana Botero, radiation
oncologist; Dr. Francisco Taraszzi, thoracic surgeon; and Southern
California-based lung cancer patient Sandy Jauregui.

The Living Room is the nation’s premier online lung cancer support group
for lung cancer patients and their families, offering expert opinion and
advice not found anywhere else. Participants listen to and interact with
experts and leaders in the field of lung cancer treatment and research.
The Living Room takes place the third Tuesday of every month and is
live-streamed online. All past and future episodes will include Spanish
subtitles.

The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (ALCF) is one of the
largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and
patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through
research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation's
goal is to work with a diverse group of physicians, organizations,
industry partners, individuals, patients, survivors, and their families
to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change and turn
lung cancer into a chronically managed disease by 2023. The ALCF was
established on March 1, 2006 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization and
has raised more than $20 million for lung cancer research and related
programs.